It belongs to the genus of maple and can also be called the plane maple or the plane-leaved maple. It can grow up to 30 meters in height and has a dense, rounded-wide crown. It has large leaves up to 18 centimeters in diameter with five lobes that end in sharp lobes. The leaves are attached to the branches with long cuttings. Usually they have a light green color, but with the onset of autumn they can take on different colors: red, brown, burgundy and other shades.
Norway maple begins to bloom in the month of May before the leaves bloom and continues to bloom for 10 days. By the time the flowering ceases, the maple can complete the process of emergence of leaves. Norway maple belongs to dioecious plants, and therefore male and female flowers are on different trees. It bears fruit annually and abundantly. Seed ripening occurs in August-September and can remain on the tree until spring. Begins to bear fruit only at the seventeenth year of life.
Propagation of the common maple occurs by seeds, grafts and young shoots formed in the area of the root system. It grows very rapidly in the first three years after planting. It quickly takes root when transplanting, easily tolerates frosty winters, is resistant to winds, and feels very good in the shade. It does not take root on stony soils and salt marshes, prefers moisture-containing fertile lands.
Feels good in urban conditions, and therefore in Russia it is the main tree species for landscaping streets and creating parks. It is planted both in individual specimens and in groups in the form of whole alleys. Norway maple can be found in deciduous and mixed forests, practically throughout Europe, in the North Caucasus and on the southern borders of the taiga.
Norway maple is affected by pathogenic fungi, coral spot, maple whitefly, fungal disease and weevil. When the first two parasites are affected, to prevent further spread of the disease, simply remove the affected branches with leaves. With whitefly and weevil lesions, the tree can be treated with chlorophos. To combat fungal diseases (powdery mildew), a mixture of ground sulfur with lime in a 2: 1 ratio is used.
Varieties of Norway maple
This common maple has several varieties that differ from each other by the type of crown, their height, color and shape of the leaves, and other features.
Maple white-leaved Globozum
It is a small tree about 6 meters high and has a dense spherical crown that does not require pruning. It grows slowly, frosty, windy and shade-resistant. Grows in wet and fertile soils. Little is affected by pests and diseases. It grows well and develops favorably with constant feeding. Very well suited for landscaping streets and areas around residential buildings.
Norway Maple Royal Red
This deciduous tree reaches a height of 12 meters with a wide-pyramidal tight crown. They differ in the presence of a trunk with a dark gray bark. It has large leaves with 5-7 blades of bright red color with a transition to a shiny burgundy, and with the onset of autumn, the colors fade. Simultaneously with the appearance of the leaves, the smallest yellow flowers begin to bloom.This type of maple tolerates shading well, but prefers places where there is enough light. Does not like a lot of moisture and does not tolerate its lack. It enjoys great popularity among amateur gardeners, thanks to its decorative crown. It tolerates urban conditions well. The main pest at the moment is powdery mildew. Maple propagates by grafting.
Drummond Norway Maple
Has an oval dense crown. It grows up to 20 meters in height. Green, finger-like leaves, with a white border, when opened, become the color of strawberries, and by autumn the leaves turn yellow. Young shoots are light golden-green in color. It blooms with yellow-green rounded flat flowers. Drummond maple grows well and develops in moist, fertile soils. Sometimes leaves appear on the branches without edging. Such leaves must be removed immediately, and if there are a lot of them on the branch, then the entire branch is completely removed. In addition, pruning of maple is usually done after the final blooming of the leaves, because during this period the wounds heal quickly and the tree loses a small proportion of the sap.
Leaves begin to fall in mid-September. Propagated mainly by vaccinations. They are used for the formation of living barriers, the formation of alleys and the design of parks and squares. Lush crown and multi-colored leaves determine its decorative value.
Norway Maple Crimson King
It has an unusual color of leaves, a dense crown and can grow up to 20 meters in height. The leaves, almost black in color, retain their color throughout the season, and by autumn they take on a purple hue. The yellow-orange blossoms create a certain contrast against the background of the blossoming leaves, which makes the Crimson King maple very attractive. It grows very quickly and is not averse to growing on any soil, it feels good in illuminated and semi-shaded areas. Gives the garden plots originality and sophistication.
Uses of the bark and leaves of Norway maple
In folk medicine, leaves and bark are very widely exploited. With diarrhea, decoctions are made from the bark and taken orally, in addition, the bark has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Leaves are able to relieve heat, strengthen the tone of the body. Broths are also made from maple leaves, which help with diseases of the bladder. Norway maple can be safely attributed to melliferous plants. One hectare of Norway maple is capable of producing up to 200 kg of light honey, with excellent taste. Honey helps to improve immunity, calms the nervous system, has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
In the recent past, its leaves were used as a dye for wool. Maple wood is used to make various furniture, souvenirs and handicrafts. Whole parks, alleys and gardens are planted with them.
